Recently the Democratic National Convention was hacked by bad actors (possibly Russia). The hack uncovered many of the underhanded tactics used to ensure Hilary Clinton got nominated which gave her an unfair advantage over her challenger. In addition to giving Hilary unfair advantage, the leaked emails illuminated the tactics of the DNC against the Republican nominee – Trump.
Now imagine that Satan got hacked and the emails between his loyal demons were exposed – this is similar to the presentation within Screwtape Letters (before email systems/ Screwtape letters were written in the 1940’s). Within 31 letters, we are exposed to the underhanded tactics Satan uses to keep us from serving and surrendering completely to God. We get a first hand account areas concern Satan and what areas are Satan’s sweet spot for keeping us from God. The two demons are named Uncle Screwtape and Wormwood (the nephew). Screwtape is the author of all 31 letters to the younger nephew demon Wormwood.
Letter one – a letter written by a demon named Uncle Screwtape to his Nephew Wormwood. The focus from this letter was to keep the patient focused on life. Not just life, but the real life. Real life consist of a bunch of things and activities. The focus is for the patient to relate materialism to power and strength and not necessarily to true. Additionally, the patient should avoid science or any profession that requires reasoning. Reasoning has resulted in many scientist joining the demons enemy – God as Christians. If the patient choices a profession in science, Sociology or economics are the best bet.
My interpretation of this letter is Satan wants us to get caught up in our real lives… busy… hectic… stressful… Satan wants us to pursue accumulating things in this real life. The more things we obtain the more status we achieve. We equate status with the amount of stuff we have. This is a struggle for me. Anything that take my focus off of my Lord and Savior is a god. And the first commandment is for me to have NO OTHER gods but the one true God.
Additionally, in the area of apologetics, there has been a number of atheist and scientist that have tried to prove God does not exist and eventually accepted God as their Lord and Savior. Jesus is historically proven to exist. Jesus was seen by witness who testified to His existence. And in some cases, they were executed for their beliefs. Objective morality exists because of Jesus, absolute truth exists because of Jesus, science cannot disprove creation – actually science affirms creation but world views disregard this conclusion. Reason and critical thinking are areas that Satan would prefer we avoid. Hence, we need to be able to give an account and defend our belief.
1 Peter 3:15New International Version (NIV)15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.